INTRODUCTION

Update

My training is going very well, despite a recent fall at a roundabout. Must remember my feet are clipped into the pedals! The big training mileages start this coming weekend ( 26th April)....gulp!

Fundrasing has been going well, but I still have some way to go. People and companies have been very generous indeed!

Simon (20th April)

Our exciting cycle challenge takes us from HMS Victory in Portsmouth, a hugely important part of naval history – across the channel to Caen and Northern France.

This challenging route traces some of the region’s most significant WW1 & WW2 battle sites, including the Normandy Landing beaches and Theipval on the Somme.

This will be a great physical challenge, but also an amazing emotional journey as we visit some of the memorial sites in the Somme. We finish our challenge by cycling through central London to the Cenotaph.
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ITINERARY

Day 1: Portsmouth – Ouistreham/Caen
We will have a great send-off at HMS Victory in Portsmouth’s Naval Dockyard. From there we will cycle to the ferry terminal and catch the 11pm ferry to Caen. We are issued with our cabins and have a good night’s sleep – ready for an early start and a challenging day tomorrow!

Day 2: Ouistreham – Le Havre
We arrive in France at around 7am. On disembarking, we cycle to Sword beach where we are welcomed by our French contingent. After spending a little time on the beach and hearing about the landings we start our cycle ride. From Sword beach we cycle south to visit Pegasus Bridge and see the first house to be liberated from the Germans in June 1944. We then head east through gently undulating countryside towards Hornfleur and Le Havre – tonight’s destination. Our route is predominantly on quiet roads and through small villages.
From Honfleur we cross the huge 3km Ponte de Normandie bridge, which takes us over the River Seine at its confluence with the sea. We then ride through the outskirts of Le Havre to our down-town accommodation.

Cycle approx 93km (58 miles)

Day 3: Le Havre – Dieppe
Today we set off for Dieppe. We cycle through the centre and suburbs of Le Havre out to the tranquillity of the surrounding villages. The French are passionate cyclists and therefore very considerate to us on the road. We make our way to St Valery-en-Caux where the 51st Highland Division, part of the British Expeditionary Force, attempted to evacuate Northern France in June 1940. The attempt failed because of fog. We will walk to the cliff-top memorial to the soldiers that died, which overlooks the small coastal town and beach. We continue our cycle along the beautiful coast road to Dieppe and stop at several other points along the route; there are other memorials to the events of both the D-Day landings and the earlier BEF evacuations.

Cycle approx 120km (75 miles)

Day 4: Dieppe – Amiens
Before setting off from Dieppe we visit the small museum dedicated to the Canadian, British and Commonwealth troops that landed on 19th August 1942 and attempted to take control of Dieppe Harbour. Many died during this bloody battle and the operation unfortunately failed. From Dieppe we cycle inland along country roads, passing through villages – many with war memorials and some with small graveyards dedicated to the many soldiers that died in this part of France during the Second World War. We will stop at one of these, Grandcourt, where 29 British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried. The route we take is beautiful; through rolling farmland and woodland. We spend the night in Amiens, a large city with a wonderful cathedral.

Cycle approx 102km (64 miles)

Day 5: Amiens – Arras
Today is our shortest ride but we explore some of the most tragic battle sites of the First World War. We leave Amiens along the River Somme and head east through small villages to Poizières. Just outside this village is a large memorial and graveyard dedicated to British soldiers. We then cycle to Thiepval, the site of the main memorial to the French and British soldiers that gave their lives during that tragic time. After exploring the area, we continue our cycle north-east, finally finishing in the town of Arras.

Cycle approx 84km (52 miles)

Day 6: Arras – Calais
Our final day’s cycle takes us north through small villages and towns to our final destination of Calais. We will have a few reminders of the First and Second World War battles fought in this area with the many memorials in the villages en route. Our legs will be tired by now after 5 days of pedalling, but we are almost there! We cycle into the centre of Calais and finish at the wonderful Hotel de Ville with its wonderful clock tower.

Cycle approx 118km (73 miles)

Day 7: Calais – London
A very early start sees us on the 7am ferry to Dover. On arrival we are met by coaches who will transfer us to Blackheath in south-east London. From here we set off on our final triumphant ride into Central London and our finishing point, Horseguards parade where we will be ready for a glass or two to celebrate. We will have cycled over 340 miles and linked the modern serviceman to his brother’s in arms from history and in doing so we will have raised a great deal of money and perhaps created a little bit of history ourselves.
Cycle approx 32km (20 miles)
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The bike ride is going to be a challenge and your support will spur me on through my training regime and the event itself.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Help for Heroes will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please dig deep and sponsor me now!

Simon